Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath: Difference between revisions

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Maedhros and Maglor refused the summons, however, and sent messages commanding Eönwë to give them the two Silmarils he guarded. Eönwë said they had forfeited their right to the gems, and that the Silmarils would return west, wherein the [[Two Trees|light within]] them came from originally. Only at the behest of the Valar would Eönwë give up the Silmarils. He commanded Maedhros and his brother to come back to Aman.
Maedhros and Maglor refused the summons, however, and sent messages commanding Eönwë to give them the two Silmarils he guarded. Eönwë said they had forfeited their right to the gems, and that the Silmarils would return west, wherein the [[Two Trees|light within]] them came from originally. Only at the behest of the Valar would Eönwë give up the Silmarils. He commanded Maedhros and his brother to come back to Aman.


Maglor desired to go west, but Maedhros convinced him otherwise, despairing of ever getting back the Silmarils. Entering into the camp of the army by night, both brothers slew the guards of the Silmarils and stole them, each brother obtaining one Silmaril a piece. They were discovered, but Eönwë did not allow them to be slain and let them depart.
Maglor desired to go west, but Maedhros convinced him otherwise, despairing of ever getting back the Silmarils. Entering into the camp of the army by night, both brothers slew the guards of the Silmarils and stole them, each brother obtaining one Silmaril a piece. They were discovered, but Eönwë did not allow them to be slain and let them depart.


Yet Eönwë was correct, and neither brother had a right to the Silmarils any more. Maedhros was burned by the light of the jewel, and before long he threw himself and the Silmaril into a pit of fire. Maglor could not bear it either, and soon threw his own Silmaril into the ocean. He spent the rest of his life wandering the coasts and lamenting all that had occurred. Thus an end came to the matter of the Silmarils, and they will not be retrieved until the world itself is remade.
Yet Eönwë was correct, and neither brother had a right to the Silmarils any more. Maedhros was burned by the light of the jewel, and before long he threw himself and the Silmaril into a pit of fire. Maglor could not bear it either, and soon threw his own Silmaril into the ocean. He spent the rest of his life wandering the coasts and lamenting all that had occurred. Thus an end came to the matter of the Silmarils, and they will not be retrieved until the world itself is remade.


The Elves were now called to go back to Valinor, and many did. They were pardoned by the Valar and took up residence on the Lonely Isle. They also were forgiven by the [[Teleri]] for the kinslaying. Yet some of the Noldor did not return: [[Gil-galad]] became High King of those who remained in Lindon. [[Galadriel]] too went east instead of west with her husband, [[Celeborn]]. Elrond remained also, choosing to be numbered among the Elves, but his brother Elros chose to be numbered among Men instead.
The Elves were now called to go back to Valinor, and many did. They were pardoned by the Valar and took up residence on the Lonely Isle. They also were forgiven by the [[Teleri]] for the kinslaying. Yet some of the Noldor did not return: [[Gil-galad]] became High King of those who remained in Lindon. [[Galadriel]] too went east instead of west with her husband, [[Celeborn]]. Elrond remained also, choosing to be numbered among the Elves, but his brother Elros chose to be numbered among Men instead.

Revision as of 16:21, 11 October 2021

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The Silmarillion chapters
  1. Ainulindalë
  2. Valaquenta
  3. Quenta Silmarillion
    1. Of the Beginning of Days
    2. Of Aulë and Yavanna
    3. Of the Coming of the Elves
    4. Of Thingol and Melian
    5. Of Eldamar
    6. Of Fëanor
    7. Of the Silmarils
    8. Of the Darkening of Valinor
    9. Of the Flight of the Noldor
    10. Of the Sindar
    11. Of the Sun and Moon
    12. Of Men
    13. Of the Return of the Noldor
    14. Of Beleriand and its Realms
    15. Of the Noldor in Beleriand
    16. Of Maeglin
    17. Of the Coming of Men
    18. Of the Ruin of Beleriand
    19. Of Beren and Lúthien
    20. Of the Fifth Battle
    21. Of Túrin Turambar
    22. Of the Ruin of Doriath
    23. Of the Fall of Gondolin
    24. Of the Voyage of Eärendil
  4. Akallabêth
  5. Of the Rings of Power

Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath is the twenty-fourth chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion section within The Silmarillion.

Synopsis

Eärendil the Mariner by Ted Nasmith

Following the fall of Gondolin and the ruin of Doriath, the last major refuge of the Noldor was at the mouths of the River Sirion, where remnants of both the Noldor and the Sindar were ruled by Eärendil, son of Tuor. He married Elwing, daughter of Dior, and together they had two sons: Elrond and Elros. Elwing had with her the Silmaril taken from Doriath. Eärendil was restless, for he wished to sail west in search of his father and mother, and possibly to find the way to Aman and request the aid of the Valar.

Befriending Círdan the shipwright, Eärendil began construction of a great ship with his aid. This ship was known as Vingilot, and it carried Eärendil across the sea on many voyages. Yet his wife Elwing remained behind. Eärendil continued on his voyages, but could never reach Valinor. Eventually, he desired to see Elwing again, and he turned around back to Beleriand.

Maedhros heard of Elwing's survival and dwelling at the mouths of Sirion. Yet feeling guilt from his actions at Doriath, he at first did nothing. But the Oath of Fëanor weighed heavily on him, and soon he could wait no longer. Yet he tried at first to approach in friendship, sending messengers to ask for the return of the Silmaril. Elwing refused them, claiming ownership of the Silmaril through the actions of her grandparents Beren and Luthien who had recovered it initially.

Thus was Maedhros compelled to attack the dwellers at Sirion, and this became known as the Third Kinslaying, reputed as the cruelest of all three. Even after some of their own fought against them, the Sons of Fëanor triumphed, though Amrod and Amras were slain. But Elwing in desperation threw herself into the sea with the silmaril. Her sons were taken captive by Maedhros and Maglor, though they were treated well by Maglor owing to his own guilt.

Yet Elwing did not die, for Ulmo himself bore her up out of the water and gave her the likeness of a white bird. Thus she flew across the water and eventually came to Eärendil, falling onto Vingilot in a swoon, yet still bearing the Silmaril. And in the morning, Eärendil saw that the bird was indeed his wife.

Eärendil, despairing for Middle-earth, began to sail west towards Aman. Using the Silmaril brought by Elwing, he was able to navigate through the Enchanted Isles and darkness defending the Blessed Realm, until at last he came to the coasts of Aman. Leaving his wife and crew, Eärendil made his way through Aman and eventually reached Tirion, which he found empty, for there was a festival going on elsewhere in Valinor.

Despairing, he began to return to his ship, when he was stopped by a loud voice: Eönwë, herald of Manwë. Eönwë greeted him and bid Eärendil come to the Ring of Doom and make his case before the Powers. He did so, telling the Valar of the travails of Elves and Men and begging their pardon. The Valar said yes, and began to prepare for war.

To Eärendil and Elwing was given the choice to be reckoned as either an Elf or Man, for they were among the Half-elven. Choosing to be numbered as Elves, Eärendil and Elwing were given immortality, and the same choice would be offered to their descendants. Eärendil himself was taken up into the Void on his ship Vingilot, and the Silmaril was fastened upon his brow. Thus was a new star set in the heavens: Eärendil, the Morning Star.

This new star was seen as a sign of hope by the exiles in Middle-earth, and it created doubt in the mind of Morgoth. Yet in spite of this, he was caught by surprise when the Valar attacked. Led by Eönwë, an army of the Vanyar and the Noldor who did not flee went over to Middle-earth and attacked him.

The great War of Wrath lasted for over forty years. The Edain who survived joined with the host of the West against the forces of Morgoth. Finally, Morgoth's forces were overthrown, and he released the great winged Dragons led by Ancalagon the Black as a final reserve against the Valar. But even this did not stem the tide of the Valar, for Eärendil came out of the sky and with the help of the Eagles led by Thorondor slew Ancalagon, who fell upon the great pillars of Thangorodrim and broke them. Thus was Angband destroyed, and Morgoth brought before the wrath of the Valar. The remaining two Silmarils were taken from him.

Beleriand itself was destroyed in the chaos. The entire land broke and fell beneath the waves, leaving only the easternmost section and a few islands remaining above the sea. Then Eönwë summoned the elves who survived in order that they might leave Middle-earth and return to Aman.

Maedhros and Maglor refused the summons, however, and sent messages commanding Eönwë to give them the two Silmarils he guarded. Eönwë said they had forfeited their right to the gems, and that the Silmarils would return west, wherein the light within them came from originally. Only at the behest of the Valar would Eönwë give up the Silmarils. He commanded Maedhros and his brother to come back to Aman.

Maglor desired to go west, but Maedhros convinced him otherwise, despairing of ever getting back the Silmarils. Entering into the camp of the army by night, both brothers slew the guards of the Silmarils and stole them, each brother obtaining one Silmaril a piece. They were discovered, but Eönwë did not allow them to be slain and let them depart.

Yet Eönwë was correct, and neither brother had a right to the Silmarils any more. Maedhros was burned by the light of the jewel, and before long he threw himself and the Silmaril into a pit of fire. Maglor could not bear it either, and soon threw his own Silmaril into the ocean. He spent the rest of his life wandering the coasts and lamenting all that had occurred. Thus an end came to the matter of the Silmarils, and they will not be retrieved until the world itself is remade.

The Elves were now called to go back to Valinor, and many did. They were pardoned by the Valar and took up residence on the Lonely Isle. They also were forgiven by the Teleri for the kinslaying. Yet some of the Noldor did not return: Gil-galad became High King of those who remained in Lindon. Galadriel too went east instead of west with her husband, Celeborn. Elrond remained also, choosing to be numbered among the Elves, but his brother Elros chose to be numbered among Men instead.

But to Morgoth, no pardon was showed. He was cast forth out of the Doors of Night into the Void, where he would remain forever after as a powerless spirit. Yet his evil remains in the world, and is a constant temptation to Elves and Men alike.

Here ends the Quenta Silmarillion. If Arda Marred shall ever be healed is not known to mortals, and none of the Valar have revealed it.

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